I spent the second half of today with family at a BBQ. We celebrated my cousin’s homecoming and her father’s (my uncle’s) birthday. It was so nice to catch up with everyone today! 
My sister, my cousin, Meeghan, and me!
Just Meeghan and me! 
We enjoyed all sorts of yummy appetizers at the BBQ. Meeghan made the most delicious Edamame Guacamole. It was light and refreshing– a perfect dip for summer. (She’s going to send me the recipe soon. Don’t you worry! 
)
Mmm… pizza dip! Love it!
Dinner included a huge spread of wonderful salads, pastas, meats, and cheeses.
My aunt actually found her recipe for chickpea salad on one of the food blogs that I linked to!
I tried a little bit of everything from the table.
I went back for seconds of my uncle’s baked beans and had some Raclette cheese melted on red potatoes. I <3 cheese!
Dessert was a really special treat this evening. Meeghan made an amazing Boston Cream Cake for her dad’s birthday.
CAKE!!
In addition to cake, there was a huge display of pastries and chocolate-covered strawberries. Can you say yuuummmm!?!
I picked a piece of carrot cake for dessert!
Happy birthday, Mark!!!
And, of course, I had to have a piece of Meeghan’s Boston Cream Cake. It was heavenly, especially the chocolate ganache frosting.
I’m exhausted from the day’s sun, booze, and food.
Good night!
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Wowza, those desserts look to die for!
i want a piece of that cake. Mmmm. I do like the way you save room for desserts. I need to learn how to do that ….
That cake looks to DIE for!
Oh That Boston creme cake looks so good! Wish I had a slice right now!
Looks like a lot of fun today! I love days spent outside with friends & family:)
What a fun party, can’t wait for the edamame guacamole recipe. I love chocolate covered strawberries, I would of had one of those.
Great blog! I just started reading, and I’m sort of doing the same thing – trying to “lose the dough”. That’s an excellent idea to just take a little bit of everything first, and then go back for the stuff you liked best. I always find it extremely difficult to go to parties where there is a lot of food, and NOT stuff my face. Those desserts look aMAzing, and desserts are definitely my weakness =)
Lots and lots of food offered today! Great job at keeping your goal
You had me at chocolate covered strawberry…
Yummy cakes! Can you believe I’ve never actually had Boston Creme cake/pie? I tried a Boston Creme flavored yogurt once but I doubt that’s actually what the real thing tastes like. It looks good!
Everything looks so delicious! Any idea which blog I can find that chickpea salad on? I gotta try it!
I love edamame hummus! It is so refreshing for the summer.
What a gorgeous assortment of desserts! Droooooooooool!!
Everything looks delish.
Jenn
i CAN say yum! what a fun and delicious evening!
Oh wow, everything looks soooo good! With my sweet tooth I would have been in heaven.
Those desserts look exceptional, yum!
Mmmm….dessert heaven!!!! Looks like a great time!!!
That cake looks perfect!
Your family is too cute
That edamame guacamole sounds so interesting! I love edamame as just a snack, but I’ve never tried guacamole… Shocking, I know! (I don’t even know what avocado tastes like! o.O) Those desserts look diviiiiine, by the way. 
Have a great Sunday!
Wei-Wei
I must find that chickpea salad recipe!!!! Looks right up my alley. Anyone know where it may be hiding?
i love combining edamame with avocados – peas work great too!
Carrot cake isn’t very common in Australia, but you’ve just created a craving that I might have to sate by turning on my oven. Looks like you had a lovely day!
Beautiful spread and a very fun day.
Oooh those cakes look good….
You and your sister have such a similar smile! Both so pretty
I love your blog!
That edamame guacamole looks awesome. I can’t wait for the recipe!
@Pam: @Angela (ohsheglows): My aunt couldn’t remember, so I hope someone will come forward and claim it as theirs! It has chickpeas, cilantro, and cucumber in it.
Mmmm… carrot cake!
Mmmm… carrot cake!
Good times for you yesterday! Looks like a lot of fun and super tasty!!!
Mmm…I love Boston cream cake. So yummy!
I made a lightened version of guac with baby lima beans before and I thought for sure it would result in a very different taste. Not so! It tasted exactly like guac, but with much more volume. I can’t wait to see the edamame version!
Your sister’s hair looks great!
I wish I got to go to that event. I would have been all over the carrot cake and chocolate covered strawberries!
ohhh my that pizza dip! what was in that!? looks delicious.
What is in that pizza dip?! Looks like something I would LOVE.
Looked like such a fun party. Have a great Sunday:)
Yum! That Boston creme cake looks so good!
All of the food (especially the cake!) looks amazing. Glad you had such a great day!
Oh my gosh – that dessert spread looks AMAZING! The party looks like it was a blast – glad you had such a good day
Your family definitely knows how to throw a party!!! SWEET!
What a great party! I love the look of those desserts and your cousins cake looks amazing! I love that you had a sample of everything. I would have dived straight in and taken way too much. You have so much self control.
Everything looked great. What’s pizza dip and what’s in it?
Yum! That Boston creme cake looks so good!